System and method to perform mobile printing from handheld devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method for printing a file on a remote printer via an electronic message. A personal electronic device transmits an electronic message requesting a listing of available electronic files. The personal electronic device then receives an electronic message in response to the request containing a list of available electronic files. At least one electronic file is then selected from among the listing of available files. The personal electronic device then receives, from the remote computer, an electronic message containing the selected electronic file. The personal electronic device then forwards the message containing the file to an image processing device.

BACKGROUND

This invention is directed to a system and method for mobile printing.More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method foraccessing an electronic file via a mobile device for printing at aremote image generating device.

Typically, users routinely work with documents or other data while awayfrom their office environment. Such users need to generate image data,by printing a document, and then need to distribute or perform otherfunctions on such image data. Frequently, the only equipment the userhas is a handheld device, such as a personal data assistant (PDA), orcombination PDA/cellular telephone. These handheld devices are capableof storing and editing documents, receiving and sending electronic mail,sending and receiving voice communications, and storing/viewing images.However, such handheld devices, generally have limited storage andprocessing power, making storing large documents inefficient. Inaddition, having a full printer driver installed on the device isimpractical, requiring capacious amounts of memory and processing power.

Previous attempts to address the limitations of the handhelddevice/printing have been made. For example, methods to include smallprinter drivers on the handheld have been implemented to enable thehandheld device to print locally stored documents. However, this methodrequires the file to be printed be stored locally, limiting the numberand size of the files available. Another example is the transmission toa printer of a URL reference of a file. However, this requires that eachindividual file be provided with a distinct URL reference, as well asthe user having access to the web site hosting the URL files. Yetanother attempt to use handheld devices for mobile printing involved theattachment of documents to electronic mail, forwarded directly to aprinter for printing. The limitation of this approach is the requirementthat the handheld device already have received the electronic mail.

Thus, there is a need for a user to use a handheld device to remotelyaccess desktop files and have the files printed by a mobile printingservice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method for mobileprinting. In particular, the present invention is directed to a systemand method for accessing an electronic file via a mobile device andprinting the electronic file on a remote image generating device. Moreparticularly, the present invention is directed to a system and methodfor using a handheld device to remotely access files stored on a remotedesktop and submit one or more selected files to a mobile printingservice for output thereon.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method forperforming document processing operations on a remote image processingdevice. A request is generated for all electronic files located in aselected storage area associated with a selected computing device. Therequest, contained within an electronic message, is then transmitted tothe selected computing device. The electronic message is then receivedand includes data representing identification data associated with eachof the electronic files located in the selected storage area associatedwith the selected computing device to an associated user. Selection datais then generated representing the identification data of at least oneelectronic file. This selection is then transmitted to the selectedcomputing device via an electronic message. The at least one electronicfile requested is then received via an electronic message, for documentprocessing.

In a preferred embodiment, the method also includes selecting, from alist of image processing devices, an image processing device andtransmitting the at least one electronic file, via an electronicmessage, to the image processing device for document processing.

Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided amethod for performing remote document processing operations. The methodincludes the step of receiving a request from a user, via an electronicmessage, for electronic files located in a selected storage areaassociated with a selected computing device. Identification dataassociated with the electronic files is then generated and transmitted,via an electronic identification message, from the storage area to theassociated user. Selection data from the associated user is thenreceived, representing the identification data of at least one of theelectronic files. The electronic file corresponding to theidentification data is then retrieved from the storage area andtransmitted, via an electronic message, to at least one of an associatedremote portable device and an associated remote image processing devicefor document processing.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes the steps ofreceiving, from the portable electronic device, data representing theamount of available associated memory and determining the file sizecorresponding to the requested electronic file. The file size isdetermined to be larger than the amount of available associated memory.In response to this determination, the electronic file is thenforwarded, via an electronic message, to an associated image processingdevice.

Still further, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a system for performing document processing operations on aremote image processing device. The system includes means adapted forgenerating a request for all electronic files located in a selectedstorage area associated with a selected computing device. The systemalso includes means adapted for transmitting the request, via anelectronic message, to the selected computing device. Means adapted forreceiving, from an electronic message, are then employed to receive datarepresenting the identification data associated with each of theelectronic files located in the selected storage area associated withthe selected computing device to an associated user. The system furtherincludes means adapted for generating selection data representative ofidentification data associated with at least one electronic file andmeans adapted for transmitting, via an electronic message, the selectiondata to the selected computing device. In addition, the system comprisesmeans adapted for receiving the at least one electronic file, via anelectronic message, for document processing.

Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided asystem for performing remote document processing operations. The systemhas means adapted for receiving a request, via an electronic usermessage, from an associated user for electronic files located in aselected storage area associated with a selected computing device.Generating means are included for generating identification dataassociated with the electronic files. The system also includestransmitting means to transmit, via an electronic identificationmessage, the identification data from the selected storage area to theassociated user. The system further includes receiving means to receiveselection data from the associated user representing the identificationdata associated with at least one electronic file. Additionally, thesystem includes means adapted for retrieving the at least one electronicfile from the selected storage area in response to the receivedselection data; and means adapted for transmitting the at least oneelectronic file, via an electronic message, to at least one of anassociated remote portable device and an associated remote imageprocessing device for document processing.

Still other aspects of the present invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in this art from the following descriptionwherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of thisinvention, simply by way of illustration of one of the best modes suitedfor to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention iscapable of other different embodiments and its several details arecapable of modifications in various obvious aspects all withoutdeparting from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptionswill be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a system and method for printing adocument from a remote device. More particularly, the present system isdirected to a system and method that enables a user to access a remotepersonal computer from a mobile device and print an electronic file on aremote image processing device using a short message service (SMS). Theskilled artisan will appreciate that the use of the short messageservice format of the electronic mail, in accordance with the followingdescription, is used for exemplification purposes only and the presentinvention is equally capable of employing different electronic mailmessage formats, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram of a system100 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, thesystem 100 suitably comprises at least one image processing device, asillustrated by multifunction peripheral device 102, for receiving andprocessing electronic image files. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that document processing device is any suitabledocument processing device known in the art, such as a copier, printer,scanner, facsimile and the like, or any combination thereof. Suitablecommercially available document processing peripherals include, but arenot limited to, the Toshiba e-Studio Series Controller. Themultifunction peripheral device 102 is suitably adapted to communicatewith the Internet, or other computer data network.

In the present invention, a user accesses a multifunctional peripheraldevice 102, preferably the user accesses the multifunction peripheraldevice 102 in a non-office environment, such as an airport lounge orbusiness center. Other non-office environment locations include, but arenot limited to, university campuses, conference centers, libraries,third-party stores and hotels. As used herein, the term mobile printingservice and the multifunction peripheral device, described in FIG. 1,are used interchangeably and refer to a multifunction peripheral devicelocated outside the normal business environment. In a preferredembodiment, the user accesses the multifunction peripheral device 102via a portable, or handheld, electronic device, such as a combinationcellular phone/PDA 106, a PDA 108, or a smartphone 110. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, the portable electronic devices106, 108, 110 are web-enabled, i.e., equipped to communicate with themultifunction peripheral device 102 via a suitable communications link,120, 122, 124, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, thecommunications links 120, 122, 124 are suitably established via theInternet. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that thecombination cellular telephone/PDA 106 is any suitable personal dataassistant capable of voice and data communications, including, forexample and without limitation, a RIM device, Blackberry, Treo, or othermultifunction data assistant.

In one embodiment, the user accesses the multifunction peripheral device102 image processing services via communications links 112, 114, 116between the portable electronic devices 106, 108, 110 and a personalcomputer 104. The personal computer 104, in data communication with themultifunction peripheral device 102 via a suitable communications link118. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the communications link118 is any data communications channel known in the art, including, butnot limited to LAN, the Internet, directly via 802.11g (WiFi),Bluetooth, or other 802.11(X) wireless communications channels. Thepersonal computer 104 suitably includes an associated storage device(not shown), such as a hard disk drive, for storing one or moreelectronic files. The personal computer 104 is shown in FIG. 1 as adesktop computer, however the skilled artisan will appreciate that thisis for exemplification purposes only and the present invention iscapable of using a document server, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, and the like, for storing an electronic document file andcommunicating the same to the multifunction peripheral device 102 and/orthe portable electronic devices 106-110.

In the preferred embodiment, the user accesses the personal computer 104via the handheld device 106-110 using an Internet communications link112-116. In this embodiment, the user is in a location providingwireless Internet access, such as an airport lounge, or retailestablishment. In accordance with the present invention, the handhelddevice, 106-110, suitably includes an electronic mail application,operative to generate and receive electronic mail messages. In oneembodiment, the electronic mail application is a cellular telephone textmessaging application, such as a short message service compatibleprogram. The handheld device 106-110 transmits a message to the personalcomputer 104, requesting a listing of electronic files, such asdocuments, stored on the personal computer 104. The personal computer104 parses the message to determine the request, if any, sent by thehandheld device 106-110. When the handheld device 106-110 has requesteda listing of available files present on the personal computer 104, thecomputer 104 retrieves a listing of such documents and generates a replymessage to the handheld device 106-110.

The handheld device 106-110, via an integrated display, shows the listto the user. Each item on the list is assigned a document code, for easeof selection on the handheld device 106-110. For example, the personalcomputer 104 inserts an alphanumeric identifying code into the replymessage corresponding to each individual file of the list. The user thensubmits a document request message to the personal computer 104indicating the alphanumeric code of the selected file. For example, andwithout limitation, the submitted message suitably includes a “GET”, orother recognized retrieval command.

The personal computer 104 then transmits the selected file to thehandheld device 106-110 via the communications link 112-116. The skilledartisan will understand that in the preferred embodiment, the file istransmitted to handheld device 106-110 as an attachment to an electronicmail message sent from the personal computer 104. The skilled artisanwill further appreciate that any means known in the art for attaching afile to an electronic text message is capable of being employed, withoutdeparting from the present invention.

The handheld device 106-110, depending upon the capabilities of thedevice's associated memory and/or processor, is able to display the fileto the user. Alternatively, the user simply forwards the message, withthe attachment, to the multifunction peripheral device 102 via thecommunications link 120-124. The present invention further enables thepersonal computer 104 to transmit, at the request of the handheld device106-110, the selected file directly to the multifunction peripheraldevice 102, when, for example, the selected file is too large to bestored on the handheld device 106-110, or when storing the file wouldfill the handheld device 106-110 associated memory to capacity. In oneembodiment, as the skilled artisan will appreciate, the subjectinvention suitably uses a mail server to facilitate the transmission ofelectronic messages between the handheld device 106-110 and the personalcomputer 104. In this embodiment, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the mail server is capable of preventing some or all ofan attachment from being transmitted to the handheld device 106-110.

Once the user has selected and received the desired file, the messagecontaining the file as an attachment, is suitably forwarded to themobile printing service, e.g., the multifunction peripheral device 102.The multifunction peripheral device 102 then outputs the file inaccordance with instructions contained with the file, or alternatively,within the text message to which the file was attached.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a flowchart illustrating themethod of retrieving an electronic file from a remote computer by ahandheld device for output by a mobile print service. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the method begins at step 202 wherein the user composes a textmessage requesting a listing of files available from the personalcomputer 104. The text message suitably includes a “LIST” command, whichis transmitted to the personal computer 104 in a short message servicetext message at step 204. The text message is then parsed by thepersonal computer 104 and the “LIST” command is ascertained. At step206, the personal computer 104 retrieves a list of files available forremote access. In the preferred embodiment, the list of files suitablyincludes those files preselected for remote access by the handhelddevice 106-110. The personal computer 104 then replies to the handhelddevice 106-110 with the retrieved list of available files at step 208.

At step 210, the user selects one or more files from the list ofremotely available files. The handheld device 106-110 then transmits atext message to personal computer 104 requesting the one or moreselected files at step 212. The personal computer 104 receives the textmessage and parses the message to retrieve a “GET” command. Adetermination is then made at step 214 that the requested file is toolarge for transmission to the requesting handheld device 106-110. Thus,when the requesting handheld device 106-110 lacks adequate memory tostore the requested file, the personal computer 104 does not transmitthe file as an attachment to a message to the handheld device 106-110.Instead, the handheld device 106-110 instructs the personal computer 104to print the selected file via a suitable “PRINT” command, which isparsed from a message transmitted to the personal computer 104 at step216. At step 218, the personal computer 104 composes an electronic mailmessage having the selected file as an attachment. This electronic mailis then transmitted to the multifunction peripheral device 102 at step220 for printing or distribution in accordance with user instructions.The skilled artisan will appreciate that although a single multifunctionperipheral device is illustrated in FIG. 1, the present inventionenables a user to select from among a plurality of multifunctionperipheral devices provided by the mobile document processing service.The multifunction peripheral device 102 suitably retrieves documentprocessing instructions from the electronic mail sent by the personalcomputer 104, which in turn has user input printing instructionscontained therein.

Returning to step 214, a positive determination, e.g., adequate memory,results in the personal computer 104 retrieving the selected file atstep 222. The personal computer 104 then attaches the selected file to aresponse message and transmits the message with the attachment to thehandheld device 106-110 at step 224. Once the message is received by thehandheld device 106-110, the user has several available options. Forexample, the user is able to view, depending upon the type of filerequested and the applications resident on the handheld device 106-110,the file, or alternatively, issue instructions to output the file at animage generating device. At step 226, the user suitably selects, via thehandheld device 106-110, a multifunction peripheral device 102 to outputthe selected file. Having selected the desired multifunction peripheraldevice 102, the user then instructs the handheld device 106-110 toforward the message to the multifunction peripheral device 102 at step228 for printing or distribution in accordance with user inputinstructions. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the forwardedelectronic mail suitably includes document processing instructionscorresponding to the operations and features the multifunctionperipheral device is capable of performing.

The invention extends to computer programs in the form of source code,object code, code intermediate sources and object code (such as in apartially compiled form), or in any other form suitable for use in theimplementation of the invention. Computer programs are suitablystandalone applications, software components, scripts or plug-ins toother applications. Computer programs embedding the invention areadvantageously embodied on a carrier, being any entity or device capableof carrying the computer program: for example, a storage medium such asROM or RAM, optical recording media such as CD-ROM or magnetic recordingmedia such as floppy discs. The carrier is any transmissible carriersuch as an electrical or optical signal conveyed by electrical oroptical cable, or by radio or other means. Computer programs aresuitably downloaded across the Internet from a server. Computer programsare also capable of being embedded in an integrated circuit. Any and allsuch embodiments containing code that will cause a computer to performsubstantially the invention principles as described, will fall withinthe scope of the invention.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to providethe best illustration of the principles of the invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto use the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

1. A method for performing document processing operations on a remoteimage processing device comprising the steps of: generating a request ona portable data device for identification of a plurality of electronicfiles located in a storage area associated with a selected computingdevice; transmitting the request, via an ASCII list request message, tothe selected computing device; decoding, at the selected computingdevice, a received list request message into a file retrievalinstruction; retrieving, from the selected computing device, file datain accordance with the file retrieval instruction; formatting file datainto an ASCII list output message inclusive of identification datacorresponding to retrieved file data; receiving, via an ASCII listoutput message, the identification data representative of each of theplurality of electronic files located in the storage area associatedwith the selected computing device; generating a display on the portabledata device in accordance with received identification data; generatingselection data representative of identification data associated with atleast one electronic file selected in accordance with receivedidentification data; transmitting, via an ASCII request message, theselection data from the portable data device to the selected computingdevice; generating a display of at least one document processingoperation on the portable data device; generating selection datarepresentative of selection of at least one document processingoperation; transmitting document processing operation selection datafrom the portable data device to the selected computing device; anddirecting, via an ASCII message from the portable data processing deviceto the selected computing device, a forwarding of the at least oneelectronic file from the selected computing device to an associatedimage processing device for document processing in accordance with eachselected document processing operation.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: selecting, from a list of imageprocessing devices, an image processing device; and transmitting, via anASCII message, the at least one electronic file for document processing.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the identification data representativeof each of the electronic files located in the storage area associatedwith the selected computing device is preselected by the selectedcomputing device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image processingdevice includes a facsimile device, a copying device, a scanning device,a printing device, and a multifunction peripheral device.
 5. A methodfor performing remote document processing operations comprising thesteps of: receiving a request, via an ASCII list request message, at aselected computing device from an associated user via portable datadevice for identification of a plurality of electronic files located ina storage area associated with a selected computing device; decoding, atthe selected computing device, a received ASCII list request messageinto a file retrieval instruction; retrieving, from the selectedcomputing device, file data in accordance with the file retrievalinstruction; formatting file data into an ASCII list output messageinclusive of identification data corresponding to retrieved file data;transmitting, via an ASCII list output message, the identification datarepresentative of each of the plurality of electronic files located inthe selected storage area to the associated user via the portable datadevice; generating a display on the portable data device in accordancewith received identification data; receiving selection data from theassociated user representative of identification data associated with atleast one electronic file selected in accordance with receivedidentification data; generating a display of at least one documentprocessing operation on the portable data device; generating selectiondata representative of selection of at least one document processingoperation; receiving document processing operation selection data fromthe portable data device to the selected computing device; retrievingthe at least one electronic file from the storage area in response tothe received selection data; transmitting document processing operationselection data from the portable data device; and transmitting the atleast one electronic file, via an ASCII message, to at least one of theportable data device and an associated remote image processing devicefor document processing in accordance with each selected documentprocessing operation.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising thesteps of: receiving, from the portable data device, data representativeof an amount of available associated memory; determining a file sizecorresponding to the at least one requested electronic file, wherein thefile size is larger than the amount of available associated memory; andforwarding the at least one electronic file, via an ASCII message, to anassociated image processing device.
 7. The method of claim 5, whereinthe portable data device includes a personal data assistant, a smartphone, and a combination cellular telephone/personal data assistant. 8.The method of claim 5, wherein the image processing device includes afacsimile device, a copying device, a scanning device, a printingdevice, and a multifunction peripheral device.
 9. A system forperforming document processing operations on a remote image processingdevice comprising: means adapted for generating a request on a portabledata device for identification of a plurality of electronic fileslocated in a storage area associated with a selected computing device;means adapted for transmitting the request, via an ASCII list requestmessage, to the selected computing device; means adapted for decoding,at the selected computing device, a received SMS list request messageinto a file retrieval instruction; means adapted for retrieving, fromthe selected computing device, file data in accordance with the fileretrieval instruction; means adapted for formatting file data into anASCII list output message inclusive of identification data correspondingto retrieved file data; means adapted for receiving, via an ASCII listoutput message, the identification data representative of each of theplurality of electronic files located in the selected storage areaassociated with the selected computing device; means adapted forgenerating a display on the portable data device in accordance withreceived identification data; means adapted for generating selectiondata representative of identification data associated with at least oneelectronic file selected in accordance with received identificationdata; means adapted for generating a display of at least one documentprocessing operation on the portable data device; means adapted forgenerating selection data representative of selection of at least onedocument processing operation; means adapted for receiving documentprocessing operation selection data from the portable data device to theselected computing device; means adapted for transmitting, via an ASCIImessage, the selection data to the selected computing device; meansadapted for transmitting document processing operation selection datafrom the portable data device to the selected computing device; andmeans adapted for directing, via an ASCII message from the portable datadevice to the selected computing device, a forwarding of the at leastone electronic file from the selected computing device to an associatedimage processing device for document processing in accordance with theselected document processing operation.
 10. The system of claim 9,further comprising: means adapted for selecting, from a list of imageprocessing devices, an image processing device; and means adapted fortransmitting, via an ASCII message, the at least one electronic file fordocument processing.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theidentification data representative of each of the electronic fileslocated in the storage area associated with the selected computingdevice is preselected by the selected computing device.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein the image processing device includes a facsimiledevice, a copying device, a scanning device, a printing device, and amultifunction peripheral device.
 13. A system for performing remotedocument processing operations comprising: means adapted for receiving arequest, via an ASCII list request message, at a selected computingdevice from an associated user via portable data device foridentification of a plurality of electronic files located in a storagearea associated with a selected computing device; means adapted fordecoding, at the selected computing device, a received ASCII listrequest message into a file retrieval instruction; means adapted forretrieving, from the selected computing device, file data in accordancewith the file retrieval instruction; means adapted for formatting filedata into an ASCII list output message inclusive of identification datacorresponding to retrieved file data; means adapted for transmitting,via an ASCII list output message, the identification data representativeof each of the plurality of electronic files located in the the storagearea to the associated user via a portable data device; means adaptedfor generating a display on the portable data device in accordance withreceived identification data; means adapted for receiving selection datafrom the associated user representative of identification dataassociated with at least one electronic file selected in accordance withreceived identification data; means adapted for generating a display ofat least one document processing operation on the portable data device;means adapted for generating selection data representative of selectionof at least one document processing operation; means adapted forreceiving document processing operation selection data from the portabledata device to the selected computing device means adapted forretrieving the at least one electronic file from the storage area inresponse to the received selection data; means adapted for transmittingdocument processing operation selection data from the portable datadevice; and means adapted for transmitting the at least one electronicfile, via an ASCII message, to at least one of an associated portabledata device and an associated remote image processing device fordocument processing in accordance with each selected document processingoperation.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: means adaptedfor receiving, from the portable data device, data representative of anamount of available associated memory; means adapted for determining afile size corresponding to the at least one requested electronic file,wherein the file size is larger than the amount of available associatedmemory; and means adapted for forwarding the at least one electronicfile, via an ASCII message, to an associated image processing device.15. The system of claim 13, wherein the portable data device includes apersonal data assistant, a smart phone, and a combination cellulartelephone/personal data assistant.
 16. The system of claim 13, whereinthe image processing device includes a facsimile device, a copyingdevice, a scanning device, a printing device, and a multifunctionperipheral device.